here's how I got started...

Friday, July 2, 2010

dear friends...

a million thanks for your comments & emails. we sincerely appreciate each of them.

my brother has been diagnosed with a lymphoma. he is so sick & miserable...it breaks my heart. chemotherapy will hopefully start late next week, once the final pathology reports are in.

I will do my best to start showing my new stamps & to finally reveal art parts. they have been in the works for months & I'm really excited for all the possibilities they offer. fun stuff... I've been @ the hospital most of the time, but I hope to have some time this weekend to post the real deals...without any more teasing.

I lost my brother to cancer when he was 21 back in the early 1970's ... they have come so very far since then, although watching a loved one go through chemo is a challenge. My heart goes out to him, to you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. HUGS

Keeping you and yours in my prayers. As a side note....acupuncture helps people with the side effects from the chemotherapy...and since he's now at a major hospital(at least you talked about him getting transferred) there are probably good acupuncturists in the area. The hospital may even have someone that they recommend. I'm sure that as a former nurse you know how to find out about the effectiveness of any suggested treatment. Some treatments are very defined for the particular cancer, some not so much. But they keep adding so much new stuff. I know Loma Linda in California is doing stuff with proton therapy, but I don't know whether or not it would be applicable here(they don't mention lymphoma in their TV ads), but I would certainly check them out, along with other institutions. Wishing your brother well and that he finds his healing path. Just remember that not all doctors tell you all of the options or the various side effects. If a doctor only has a saw, they may not tell you that someone with a hammer would be more effective. Your brother probably could use all of the advocates he can get right now. When you are seriously ill, it's really hard to even think straight...so don't be shy. I really don't think that you will be...just reminding you of your strengths. God bless.

Crikey. Sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to you and your family, all I can say is, been there, done that, not that that is much comfort for you. Hope they can get the pain under control, and here's praying for good news on the pathology report...

Wendy hunny, I am so sad to hear your news and will keep everything crossed that treatment will work and make your brother better again... in the meantime...sending a HUGE hug... and thinking of you all xxx

So sorry to hear this news Wendy and please know that your brother and your family will be in my prayers. It will be tough to go through but together you can do it. He is lucky to have you and Rick on his support team.

I know what you are going through..We lost our dear brother in January..but I wanted to tell you, we spent some the of most precious time together during his illness..saying all the things we wanted to..remembering all the great times..and he never, NEVER gave up..and either did we. Don't give up..let him decide if he wants to talk and listen, listen, listen - my prayers are with you both.

my thoughts are with you and your family - everyone is right - that should be your focus right now....take whatever time you need...guess what...we will all still be here even if it is months from now...we can live without sneak peaks and teases...we can even make art with the great Wendy stamps that we already have -we will all be thrilled with the new ones! Think of it this way - you will not be torturing us with peaks of things we cannot get for 30, 45 or even 60 days - so we will have more time to make art right now today - which I think would be a good way to send postive energy your way! Hang in there and take care of yourself too - you will need a lot of strength in the months to come...

Add my thoughts and prayers to those being sent by all your art friends. Having you close by will make what comes next much easier for your brother to bear.We'll all still be here whenever you're ready to share some art with us!Eileen in NYC

Dearest Wendy...your priority must be your brother..sod the stamps, we can see them again! you go do what you have to do, remember we'll all be here when you get back, whenever that may be. hugs and best wishes for a complete and rapid recovery for your brother.

Wendy, as all the others have said - family comes first (always) but especially when family needs you. And your's definitly needs you now. You can not turn back the hands of time and you will never regret the time you spend with your brother when he clearly needs you more than we do. Good thoughts and prayers are sent to you!

Dearest Wendy (yes, Peter Pan is my hero) ... please do not give one moment of thought or energy to sharing peeks with us or whatever else you think you "should" do for us. We are here now to support you and your family - it's our time to give back to you. I will continue to keep you, your brother, your family in my thoughts & prayers. *Hugs*, dear Wendy.

Wendy, I am sorry to hear this news. I will think many healing thoughts and sending positive energy your brother's way. I will wish for successful treatment. Sending you and your family lots of love.Carol